So many goals were scored over the last few days that it became hard for the hockey followers to remember the names of the scorers. However, after plenty of one-sided matches, they were in for real treat when they witnessed only five goals in three exciting matches during the 46th Jindal Steel Nehru Hockey Tournament being played at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium on Friday.

In the first match, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited played an exciting1-1 draw with Indian Oil Corporation, while Punjab National Bank defeated Oil and Natural Gas Corporation by a solitary goal in another match. Meanwhile, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited were successful in snatching a point from Indian Oil Corporation after playing a 1-1 draw with them in a low scoring Group B quarter-final league match.

Had their forwards not squandered the chances that came their way, Indian Oil Corporation could have won the match but they were punished for poor finishing and some good defending from the opposition team. Out of three penalty corners awarded to them, they could convert only one. In the dying minutes of the match, they could have snatched a well-merited win as Hamza Mujtaba penetrated his way into opposition circle from the right flank and unleashed a powerful reverse flick.

However, an alert AC Kuttappa, the BPCL goalkeeper, made a brilliant save. And before any IOC player could capitalise on the rebound, the ball was promptly cleared.

IOC had taken the lead in the 30th minute when last match hero Didar Singh converted their first penalty corner. BPCL made few counter-attacks and they were able to restore parity in the 47th minute when Olympian Sabu Varkey scored a superb field goal. BPCL were awarded just one penalty corner which they muffed.

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